Automobile signal window



March 31, 1931. H, G, LEFFINGwr-:LL 1,798,981

AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL WINDOW Filed April l5, 1929 2 SheetS--SheerA l (17%@ ATTORNEYS March 31, 1931.

H. G. LEFFINGWELL AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL WINDOW Filed April 15, 1929 2 Smeets-SheetA 2 L Rw E mm m mm w VE T mL A G. HY B Patented Mar. 31, `1931 HOWARD G. LEFFINGWELL, F GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO AoToMoBILE SIGNAL WINDOW Application led April 15,

This invention relates to an automobile signal window enabling a driver to indicate by hand signals his or her intention to turn to the right or.left7 or stop.

.5 The principal object of the invention is the provision of a window of the indicated character which will enable a driver to conveniently perform signaling operations, one which will be self-closing, onel which will not interfere with the drivers vision, and

one which will embody features of construction lending themselves to the ready installation of the window.

.Y The nature ofthe invention and its distinguishing features and advantages will appear when the following specification is read in connection with the accompanying draw'- ing, in which- Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an` automobile equipped with a signal window constructed in accordance with the present invention, and illustrating the left arm of the driver in a signaling position.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side view. Figf3 is a sectional viewtaken on the line 3-*3 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 1-v4 of Fig; 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 3. A t In the drawing, 10 designates the body of an automobile having a door 11 adjacent the drivers seat. The door has an opening 12 which is controlled by a glass panel 13. The lower ed e of the panel 13 has a channel or clip mem er 14 with which mechanism,not

shown, cooperates for raising the panel 13.

to a position to close a part of the opening 12 and also for'the purpose of lowering the panel 13 into. the usual recess 15 in the door 11.

In accordance with the present invention a metal frame 16 is-arranged in the opening 12. The frame 16 is removably held in place by spring members 17 respectively dis'- posed on opposite sides of the lower rail of the frame. The spring members 17 engage door 11, and force the upper rail of the frame in contact with the upper rail of the door 11. The forward side stile 18 of the frame 16 .thewpanel 22 in closed 1929. Serial No. 355,386.

is in the form of a channel to receive one of the vertical edges of the panel 13 for sliding movement therein. The frame 16 is rabbeted to provide an outer recess 19 and an inner rectangular flange 20. The flange 20 has a 55 strip of felt 21 secured thereto. A glass panel 22 is hingedly connected with the forward side stile of the frame 16 by spring hinges 23. The hinges 23 yieldingly hold position with respect to the frame 16 in the recess 19 thereof, to allow the panel 22 to be moved laterally outward to an open position by a slight pressure from the hand of the driver; the panel 22 being moved automatically to the closed po- 05 sition when the drivers arm is withdrawn'. The hinges 23 each include a strap part Y adapted to clamp the panel 22 so as to obviate drilling of holes through saidpanel. The flange 20 serves as a stop to limit the move- 70 ment of the panel 22 to the closed position, and the felt strip 21 presents the necessary cushion to eliminate noise. A stop 24 in the form of a channel is arranged on the bottom of frame 16. The purpose of this stop, which may hold a small piece of polished glass or other material, is to close any space which might occur due to anyl difference in thel height of frame 16 and the height of the opening 12, since window openings vary in 30 size as toheight. The stop 24 receives the projecting portion 25 of the member 14 when the panel is in the raised position to steady the panel 13.

The construction and arrangement hereinabove described is one applied to the door of an automobile after it has left the factory. The panel 13 has been cut down to make room forthe signal panel 22 together with its frame 16.V Itis to be understood, however, 9U

y that a signal window of the construction described may be made an integral part of 1 'standard body designs of automobiles to constitute one of the appurtenances thereof.

I claim: 1

1. The combination with the door of an automobile body, said door having an opening and a main glass panel movable to opened and closed positions with respect to said l opening, of a frame removably arranged in said opening, a transparent signal panel hingedl connected with said frame and capable o swinging laterally outward on a vertical axis with respect to said frame, and yieldable means which swings said signal panel to a closed position from its opened position.

2. The combination with the door of an automobile body, said door having an opening and a main glass panel movable to opened and closed positions with respect to said opening, of a frame in said o ening, one side edge of the aforesaid panel eing in sliding engagement with said frame, a transparent signal panel hingedly connected with said frame and capable of svc/inging laterally out- Ward with respect to said frame, and yieldable means which swings saidsignal panel to a closed position from its opened position.

HOWARD G. LEFFINGWELL. 

